Madiba sets a trend
THE Father of the Nation, Nelson Mandela would have been 100 years old this year. Madiba was in his way a fashion icon, from his immaculate tailormade suits to his signature silky pattern shirts, popularly referred to as “Madiba shirts”. As the world celebrates this icon’s centenary, we take a look at some of Madiba’s styles which have made it into today’s fashion trends. Horizontal-line haircut: During his boxing days in the 1940s, Mandela had his own style of cutting a horizontal line on his hair. This is a trend which has grown hugely, especially among women. Local celebrities, such as Masechaba Ndlovu and Nandi Madida, are some of the powerful women who know how to slay the Madiba cut.
Silky pattern shirts: Mandela wasn’t your suit-andtie type of man, unless necessary. He preferred silky, patterned shirts and he kept them fully buttoned. Today’s youth wear patterned shirts.
Traditional Xhosa regalia: Mandela would don his Xhosa regalia now and then. The Xhosa attire has transitioned from traditional wear to a fashion statement. Designer Laduma Ngxokolo has turnd Xhosa traditional wear into runway fashion statements.
The dapper gentleman: Madiba’s tailored suits were immaculate. Tailor-made slim suits are trendy, even more so with millennials who pair them with sneakers or with formal shoes.
Statement hats: In winter Madiba was often seen rocking a top coat, leather gloves and fur faux hat, a top trend today.